Kicking Houston When They are Down; Best Buy in Hot Water Over Price Gouging Reports

Best Buy is under fire after TMZ posted pictures of cases of water on display at the price of $42 per case in a Houston store.

Photo Credit: Ken Klippenstein/GirlPost.com

The photo above spurred outrage as it made the rounds on social media. Twitter users are ticked. The angriest Tweeters are calling for social activism, telling others to remember this on Black Friday, or straight up vowing to never shop at Best Buy again.

Best Buy issued an apology and attempted to explain the water’s high price. “Not as an excuse but as an explanation, we don’t typically sell cases of water. The mistake was made when employees priced a case of water using the single-bottle price for each bottle in the case.”

I kind of get that. I mean, maybe the employees are young or inexperienced. It seems like a reasonable explanation to say that a super young employee just made a mistake. Youth these days… geez! (insert eye-roll) But on the other hand…

Where was the manager? Or assistant manager? Or any employee with a heart in their chest to say “Guys, it’s water! We’re in a natural disaster! And at the very least, give the customers a discount for buying in bulk! That price should be $39.99… duh.”

Texas price gouging laws

Section 17.46(b) of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act protects Texas residents from price gouging. Under this law, the Attorney general has the authority to prosecute any business that price gouges after the Governor declares a state of emergency.

Businesses are guilty of price gouging if they sell for, or demand an excessively high price for a necessity (i.e., gas, food, water, medicine).

The Texas Attorney General’s website tells consumers to “be frank” with retailers that are charging high prices. If the retailer won’t lower its price, file a complaint here. You need the following information when you file a complaint: (1) the business or individuals name; (2) their full address including zip code; (3) a description of the complaint – details are your friend!

Via: CBS Miami

Best Buy isn’t the only scoundrel in town

USA Today posted an article last night about other price gougers in the area. CNBC estimates that more than 500 price gouging complaints have been filed as of Monday. Some retailers are selling cases of water for $99. Gas is priced close to $10/gallon. And some hotels are tripling or quadrupling their hotel rates.

If you are the victim of price gouging fight for your rights. Price gouging laws are in place to protect consumers when they are most vulnerable.

Keep your chin up, Houston! Price gouging aside, Gotham City Esquire is inspired by the generosity of your citizenry and send our deepest condolences to those who are suffering.

Starleigh Smith is a third-year law student at Washington and Lee University School of Law. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Florida State University (Go Noles!). When she is not busy with school, Starleigh spends her free time with her husband and three children hiking, watching movies, traveling, attending soccer games, and cooking (always cooking).